Cao Xueqin's writing portrayed the Twelve Beauties with exquisite detail, yet fate played cruel tricks on them.
In circumstances like these, their tragedies seem all the more heartbreaking.
But if they had the chance to live their lives over, with their identities changed beyond recognition, perhaps their lives would not have to end in tragedy.
When Yingchun, gentle by nature and as dull as a block of wood, died at the Sun residence, her soul returned to her mother's womb. She became the daughter of Zhou, a concubine in the second branch of the Jia family, Baoyu's half-sister and a daughter born to a concubine under Madam Wang's roof.
When the sharp-witted Tanchun died in the palace harem of a foreign kingdom, she became a daughter born to a concubine in the main branch of the Jia family, a rose covered in thorns.
When Lin Daiyu, the Lady of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, became a girl of the Xue family in Jinling.
When Xue Baochai, the Lady of the Hengwu Pavilion, became the orphaned daughter of the Lin family.
When Li Wan, who valued virtue over talent, married into the main branch of the Rongguo Mansion and became the wife of the dashing Second Master Lian.
When the clever and capable Feng-jie became the wife of the eldest son Zhu in the second branch, bringing the families even closer through marriage.
After living their lives over, what kind of futures would they make for themselves?
I picked three pairs from the Twelve Beauties of Jinling to swap identities. I really couldn't think of any other pairings that would work...
Yingchun's personality would actually suit being Madam Wang's daughter born to a concubine. But her natural abilities really can't compare with Tanchun's, so I may give her a golden finger.
Actually, as a child born to a concubine, Yingchun had it better than Tanchun. Unfortunately, Yingchun was unlucky and didn't get good parents. Let Tanchun go sort out the main branch, then.
Theme:
A running account + repetition is a waste of good ideas. This writing is really great. . .
This is quite interesting
Oops! Mrs. Wang here is so funny
In ancient times, when scholars entered school, they meant becoming a scholar or having similar fame. Baoyu was definitely not one of them. He said that going to school was okay.
The Li family married their daughter to the Jia family, and then destroyed the only scholar in the younger generation of the Jia family? So, is this a marriage or a feud? Don't talk about the big house and the second house. In ancient times, it was important for clans to be united. My sister-in-law's family has harmed her cousin and even affected her future nephew. Is it shameful to spread the word? How should Jia Lian, the older brother, stand up? Towards my wife or to help my uncle and cousin? If the Li family doesn't marry their daughter, the two families can fall out immediately, but marrying their daughter means that they are willing to marry and not enmity with the Jia family.
Fifteen is the age of haircuts, not sixteen, and the flowers are finished
Happy new year every day
Happy New Year and all the best
As long as Daiyu is engaged, it doesn't matter if the dowry is smaller, it's better than losing it all and being despised and forced to death. Although Baoyu is a bit rude, he probably won't do anything too outrageous to his engaged cousin. Daiyu would not allow it, and without Jia Mu's push, Daiyu should have a good result.
Didn't Lin Ruhai ever think of telling Daiyu to be on guard?
A running account + repetition is a waste of good ideas. This writing is really great. . .
This is quite interesting
Oops! Mrs. Wang here is so funny
In ancient times, when scholars entered school, they meant becoming a scholar or having similar fame. Baoyu was definitely not one of them. He said that going to school was okay.
The Li family married their daughter to the Jia family, and then destroyed the only scholar in the younger generation of the Jia family? So, is this a marriage or a feud? Don't talk about the big house and the second house. In ancient times, it was important for clans to be united. My sister-in-law's family has harmed her cousin and even affected her future nephew. Is it shameful to spread the word? How should Jia Lian, the older brother, stand up? Towards my wife or to help my uncle and cousin? If the Li family doesn't marry their daughter, the two families can fall out immediately, but marrying their daughter means that they are willing to marry and not enmity with the Jia family.
Fifteen is the age of haircuts, not sixteen, and the flowers are finished
Happy new year every day
Happy New Year and all the best
As long as Daiyu is engaged, it doesn't matter if the dowry is smaller, it's better than losing it all and being despised and forced to death. Although Baoyu is a bit rude, he probably won't do anything too outrageous to his engaged cousin. Daiyu would not allow it, and without Jia Mu's push, Daiyu should have a good result.
Didn't Lin Ruhai ever think of telling Daiyu to be on guard?